Three ideas were identifed at the last workshop, so we used this workshop to plan how to take these ideas and make them a reality. This was our programme for the day and we decided our goals would be:
- Working groups provide progress reports on improvement ideas
- Action planning for testing of improvement ideas
- How to measure impact of improvements
- Agree homework and next steps
Connecting up: how well do we know each other?
We had been working hard to come up with new icebreakers, or ways for the group members to re-connect that are fun, and we wanted to try different approaches. We asked people to take some time to write down three ‘strange’ or unusual things about themselves – two of which were to be true and one false. Those with dementia in the group were helped by their carer or link worker.
We then asked people to work in pairs – to share their three ‘facts’ with each other and guess which one was false. After two or three rotations of this we asked volunteers to share with the whole group. Again, people were asked to guess what was false (with those in the group who already knew, sworn to keep quiet).
This worked amazingly well and was great fun. It revealed even more hidden talents and assets. We had sporting champions who had played at international level and represented their country, people who had flown planes or recorded with famous musicians, or climbed an impressive number of Munros. It was inspiring.
Progress reports from the working groups
The three working groups were asked to take turns reporting back. Although each group had a nominated lead and co-ordinator, we wanted it to feel like a team effort
We asked them to:
- Describe progress on making their idea real
- Say what had helped or hindered progress
- Use the bigger group – ask them to provide questions/a response – and see if there’s anything they can do to help
We then asked each group to summarise what they had done and what they thought their next steps would be.
Group members feedback on progress
Group 1
Idea: Run a new local dementia café fortnightly
The group met at Jean and Jane’s house to discuss (and agree) actions around:
- Where to host the café? (Could be COPE. They can host for free and provide free tea and coffee)
- setting dates
- Invites and flyers
- Whether to offer/find community transport- to be be discussed at the first café meeting with people and thought about in connection with risks/liability
- Organising a raffle for the café (Maimie’s husband has got prizes organised and Helen will get the tickets)
- Plan to ask everyone coming for a small donation and give this back to COPE (Jean to provide tub for donations)
- Plan to take a short video on phone of first cafe (Jean)
What helped/hindered progress?
- Everyone offered to help
- People were able to do different things eg spreading the word, designing posters etc.
- COPE provided a fantastic venue and resource– they were helpful and welcoming. Other options were expensive or didn’t get back to them. COPE also had a range of classes that could be tapped into such as the music and movement class that immediately followed the café’s time slot
- What about risk? The group thought about those who couldn’t get there independently, they discussed the need for a disclaimer to say it’s ‘your responsibility’ to get there and back.
- Some people were on holiday for the first meeting – everyone else was urged to attend and bring others who are interested using their contacts/networks (whether someone with dementia, a carer or professional from the group).
- If the group grows, a bigger venue may be required– perhaps next door to maintain links with COPE? The initial meeting room could hold 20-30 people.
- Longer-term funding may be needed? Money for dementia friendly communities and/or Carers’ Partnership suggested – although significant monies from the latter are already earmarked and going to Alzheimer Scotland for dementia cafés – with various restrictions imposed, namely that Alzheimer Scotland need to staff them. Small local community grants of a few £100s were also mentioned.
Ambitions:
If the group could produce a reliable model, they hoped to be able to extend cafés to other areas like Maryhill and Ruchill and link in with other cafés eg NHS dementia café in Possil.
Offers of help from the wider group:
Various members of the group offered to promote the new dementia café through their networks.
Group 2
Idea: A new local carers group that is confidential and not run by ‘experts’
What they did:
- The group had looked into venues and times – possibly Knightswood Community Centre (Friday @ 4.30pm) or COPE (Friday @ 10.30am) as possibilities
- They thought about capacity: ‘What if not enough people turn up?’ They decided to wait and see how the first session went
- Helen agreed to contact the Peer Support Coordinator for the Carers Group to explore small scale funding to support the associated costs (venue and refreshments etc.) This was not intended to involve her in other ways as the group wanted this to be a self-run, ‘non-expert’ group
- The Peer support coordinator could also pass on information about other carers’ groups
What helped/hindered progress?
- The group enjoyed working together
- The ‘unknowns’ – whether the venues or timings would suit people for example, whether the meetings should be weekly or fortnightly – and how many would turn up
- Health and safety – in the chosen venue tea and coffee downstairs could not be carried up stairs
Offers of help from the wider group:
- Group 1 offered to promote the new carers’ group through their dementia café
- Viv offered to provide a flyer to promote the group when future dates had been agreed
Group 3
Idea: Volunteer/Befriending scheme, or creating more dementia champions
What they did:
- The ideas had been discussed with colleagues and other contacts
What helped/hindered progress:
- feedback indicated that this idea would require a budget and paid staff to co-ordinate
- the idea was felt to be over-ambitious for this project
- developing a wider network of dementia champions would require input from more senior managers and was felt to to be beyond the scope of this group
Offers of help from the wider group:
- This group decided to support ideas 1 and 2 rather than pursue idea 3
Macmillan
A representative from Macmillan Cancer Support Service came along to talk to the group about the organisation’s work, how Macmillan engages with and supports people, and where in Glasgow this service can be accessed. This provided our group with lots of ideas about different service approaches and methods of communication as well as insights into the kind of support these services can offer.
Learning about Macmillan
Playlist for Life
Playlist for life, where people record 12 pieces of music that are important to them, is an idea that focuses on the benefits that music can bring to people with dementia. In particular, music has been shown to bring comfort and calm, bringing back happy memories and helping people reconnect with each other. For our group, trying out playlist for life provided several opportunities. It was used as an ice-breaker activity in meeting four, to build relationships and help the group reconnect. It was something that could have positive impacts for group members, that they could take away and continue to enjoy. Having tried out playlist, group members would also be able to introduce the idea to to others who might benefit.
At our fourth meeting in August, we used the connecting up session to explore group members music choices for their own ‘playlist for life’. This had proved a productive and enjoyable activity. Kerry and Rikke had recorded each person’s playlist on an iPod.
We now spent some time trying out how to use the devices and group members were able to help each other.
Group members getting to grips with technology
People enjoyed being able to hear their music choices. They agreed to try using playlist over the coming weeks and feed back at the next meeting (see homework).
Action planning
Groups were asked to reflect on their progress so far and to consider how their idea would continue after the end of KiP in March 2015. This included, whether and in what the form the group would continue and how they might access financial and practical support. Before giving the groups some time to plan their next steps, we used the improvement approaches slides to re-cap on some ideas about how the groups might move things forward. In particular, the slides reminded people of: the importance of focusing on what is achievable, rather than what is not; finding people to work with who are keen to try something new; and that tasks should be shared so that no one group member shoulders all of the responsibility.
Here are the improvement slides
Improvement approaches slides-for NW S5
Dementia friendly Glasgow
This activity helped group members to consider how their work in developing dementia cafés and carer groups could contribute to wider efforts in Glasgow towards building a more dementia friendly community. Group member Stephen (Dementia lead) shared information about the work of the Dementia Friendly Glasgow initiative. The group discussed what a dementia friendly community might look like, Stephen described the key aspects:
- People within a community will be aware of and understand more about dementia
- People with dementia and their carers will be encouraged to seek help and support
- People with dementia will:
- feel included in their community
- be more independent
- have more choice and control over their lives
Discussing dementia friendly communities
In smaller groups, we discussed the questions in the survey and how people felt about the issues raised. The group identified that shopping and transport would be easier for people with dementia if staff would take more time, they suggested a ‘slow lane’ for supermarket checkouts and bus drivers taking care not to move off before passengers are seated. The groups also identified several local organisations that were supportive and recognised that a key factor in feeling supported was being asked what makes a difference.
The Alzheimer’s Society have produced an information pack, DFC_Infopack, with a diagram to explain dementia friendly communities and also to share information from a survey which asked people with dementia about aspects of their lives.
Homework and actions for the group
Homework was around taking forward improvements and trying out Playlist for Life.
Taking forward improvements
The groups agreed to meet again as working groups before the next meeting on 10 Dec 2014
These were some suggested topics for discussion:
1. Describe what’s happened
2. Describe result of test based on information/feedback
3. Does the information tell us what we need to know?
4. What helped/hindered success?
5. What took us by surprise (if anything)
6. Do we want to change our plan and what next? (what we do and/or our timetable?)
Playlist for Life
Group member were set this challenge, to complete before the next meeting:
Try it out and see what the music can do for you?
Think about….
- How and when have you used it?
- How has it made you feel as an individual?
- What this has meant for you as a couple/family?
- What worked best for you?
- What didn’t work for you?
- Anything else?
OR
- For practitioners – introduce the idea to someone you know with dementia and help record story/feedback or do something else to promote.
We gave each person a sheet with information about how to use Playlist for Life.
Playlist for Life-tips on how to use
More information about how to create your own playlist is available on this website:
http://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/how-to/use-the-technology/
Plan for the next meeting/ feedback and evaluation
It was agreed that the next and final meeting would be an opportunity for people to feedback on progress and continue to plan for the future. A reflective session would allow the group to discuss their experiences of being part of KiP. Most importantly everyone agreed that a celebration would be in order!